Joint statement on Crimea by the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso

The sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine must be respected. The European Union does neither recognise the illegal and illegitimate referendum in Crimea nor its outcome. The European Union does not and will not recognise the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol to the Russian Federation.

In line with the declaration of the Heads of State and Government of the EU of 6 March and our statement on Crimea of 16 March, the European Council will discuss the situation in Ukraine at its meeting this week and agree on a united European response.